News

BERA Announces the 2024 BERA Public Engagement and Impact Award Winner

2 Dec 2024

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2024 BERA Public Engagement and Impact Award is the initiative, #BeeWell: Making Young People’s Wellbeing Everybody’s Business, led by the University of Manchester. This exceptional project exemplifies the transformative power of research and public engagement in addressing the wellbeing of young people.

About #BeeWell

#BeeWell is an innovative research programme that integrates academic expertise with youth-led initiatives to ensure that young people’s wellbeing becomes a shared responsibility. Through its annual survey, co-designed with young people aged 12-15, the project assesses the key domains and drivers of wellbeing. Its reach is impressive, with over 85,000 young people from nearly 300 secondary schools across 14 local authorities having participated so far.

Key Achievements

The impact of #BeeWell is vast and varied, demonstrating its commitment to both academic excellence and community impact:

Youth-Centered Engagement: From a Youth Steering Group to the Young Researchers programme, the project has empowered young people to take the lead in shaping research priorities and actions.
Collaborative Change: The project has directly influenced policies and practices in schools, local authorities, and partner organizations, fostering innovative solutions such as youth-led community projects and social prescribing programmes.
Strategic Impact: Insights from #BeeWell have informed key strategies at both local and national levels, advancing the wellbeing agenda across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Celebrating Excellence

Led by Professor Neil Humphrey and a dedicated team from the University of Manchester, #BeeWell is an example of how research can move beyond the academic sphere to create tangible benefits for communities.

Please join us in congratulating the #BeeWell team for their outstanding contribution to the field of educational research and public engagement. Their work not only enhances our understanding of young people’s wellbeing but also inspires a collective effort to create a brighter future for the next generation.

To learn more about this initiative, visit the #BeeWell website or follow their updates on social media using #BeeWell.